Premier announces long-term plan to fix hospital emergency departments

6/1/02 Premier Geoff Gallop today unveiled the start of the Government's long-term plan to improve hospital emergency departments.

6/1/02
Premier Geoff Gallop today unveiled the start of the Government's long-term plan to improve hospital emergency departments.
The Government's plan will lead to better patient care, better working conditions and fewer ambulance diversions.
Dr Gallop said pressure on metropolitan hospital emergency departments would be relieved with the implementation of a number of recommendations from an interim report prepared by a Department of Health expert working party.
Department of Health Director General Mike Daube established a working party in November to take urgent action on the overcrowding in Perth hospital emergency departments. Department of Health Deputy Director General (Health Care) Dr Brian Lloyd chaired the working group.
Dr Gallop said the working group had made a number of recommendations which encompassed a strategy of investment, reform and a focus on Labor's priority health area: patient care.
The following immediate action would be taken in response to the interim report's findings:

  • the fast tracking of the planning and construction of a new and larger Emergency Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - $8million;
  • redevelop the Emergency Department at Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital as a matter of urgency - $6.5million;
  • the modification of the Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital - $900,000;
  • construction of an observation ward at Swan District Hospital - $420,000;
  • the establishment of a CT Unit at Swan District Hospital to allow a more complete investigation of patients rather than transfer - $1.3million; and
  • early consideration and planning for conversion of additional areas at Royal Perth Hospital to enable more scope for acute management of patients from the Emergency Department in addition to the above measures which should diminish referrals.
Other recommendations:
  • that minor works improvements be made in several Emergency Departments;
  • a proposed Emergency Department upgrade for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital be expedited;
  • major planning be undertaken for the Rockingham-Kwinana Hospital;
  • bed numbers be increased partly by role delineation and partly by staffing unused beds; and
  • maximising retention of patients at secondary hospitals.
The working group visited Swan District, Rockingham-Kwinana, Armadale, and had personal knowledge of Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Fremantle and Princess Margaret Hospitals.
"The recommended actions will significantly improve the working conditions in emergency departments and reduce the need for ambulance diversion," Dr Gallop said.
"We will move as quickly as possible to complete the planning and call tenders.
"Labor has a long-term plan to turn around our health system. We not only want better emergency departments, we want a better health system for the future.
"This is a good start."
Premier's office: 9222 9475